1/2
Swipe or click to see more
COURTESY LAURIE SUMIYE
“Big Sky Waimea,” by artist-filmmaker Laurie Sumiye, is part of “Thirty-Six Views of Mauna Kea,” on display through Sept. 30 at BoxJelly.
2/2
Swipe or click to see more
COURTESY REX MAXMILLIAN
“Old Mamane Tree” is part of “Thirty-Six Views of Mauna Kea,” on display through Sept. 30 at BoxJelly.
Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
While doing research in 2014 for a documentary about the palila, a critically endangered Hawaiian finch, artist-filmmaker Laurie Sumiye took many road trips to Mauna Kea, which she photographed from numerous angles.
The series of images she took during that year is the foundation for “Thirty-Six Views of Mauna Kea,” an exhibit inspired by early-19th-century ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock print) master Utagawa Hiroshige’s “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.”
“I was struck by the immense power and sacred energy of Mauna Kea, ever-present like a guardian or grandparent,” said Sumiye in an artist’s statement.
Each of Sumiye’s 36 points of view is an original print celebrating, for instance, Waimea’s open fields of green, an old mamane tree against a sunset and a pensive pueo on a fence post — all in a soft color palette. Sumiye painted images of Mauna Kea using computer tools, then printed them digitally on laminated shoji paper.
“I wanted them to be reminiscent of these places I’ve been,” she said.
What comes through is the artist’s love for Mauna Kea and nature. The solo show, Sumiye’s first, includes sculptures and a video installation.
“Thirty-Six Views of Mauna Kea” is on view through Sept. 30 at BoxJelly, 307a Kamani St. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Call 593-1231 or visit lauriesumiye.com.